Alcanza means reach
Let’s help get you there
Who We Are
Alcanza Impact is a Los Angeles-based consulting practice that partners with nonprofits, school systems, and philanthropic organizations seeking increased social impact. Founded by Vanessa Murrieta, we bring expertise in strategy and implementation, program design, and development. Alcanza means “reach”, and that’s what we help you do: reach your goals in service of—and with—the communities you care about most.
The strategies that work for people furthest from opportunity tend to work better for everyone. We design with this in mind, using principles of universal design, so the work holds up under real conditions and reaches the communities it's meant to serve. That's how Alcanza Impact approaches every engagement.
Our Founder
Vanessa brings twenty years of classroom and school system experience, foundation leadership, and strategic consulting. Previously, Vanessa was a program officer at Gates Foundation where she designed and led portfolios focused on teacher networks and on improving outcomes for students with disabilities. She has experience prior to that as a consultant, having partnered with WestEd, Gates, and public K-12 school systems. Vanessa started her career as a high school special education teacher in Los Angeles. The through-line in her work has always been inclusion, equity, and access.
She holds a BA in Global Studies and Sociology, minor in Applied Psychology from University of California, Santa Barbara, and an MA in Special Education from Loyola Marymount University. She is a certified Impact Philanthropy Advisor through Daylight Advisors and holds a Professional Facilitation Certification through Voltage Control. She is a proud daughter of immigrants and native Spanish speaker.
Our Services
Our services are tailored to the unique needs of nonprofits, school systems, and funders.
Inclusion, equity, and access are always at the center.
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Strategy design and implementation
Program or initiative design and implementation
Funder navigation and development strategy
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Investment strategy and diligence
Portfolio learning and strategic refinement
Convening design and facilitation
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Partnership strategy and design
Governance and decision-making structures
Stakeholder alignment and facilitation
Get in touch
send a note at vanessa@alcanzaimpact.com or use the form below